Having some experience with dogs, i get asked quite often how much it costs for this breed or that breed. To be honest, that is one of those questions that could possibly return several different answers and not make you satisfied to know any. So here i have tried to address some of the reasons why this is such a difficult question to answer, and what you might be able to do to get the answers you seek.

So you want to buy a purebred puppy and would like to know what the going price is so you know you have made a fair deal. Ok, so first person you ask is a breeder out of town, who has litters of pups several times a year, and they tell you you can absolutely have one for only 200 dollars, but with no pedigree papers or any health testing certificates. You think to yourself, wow this is so cheap, i can manage that no problem, but i should look a bit more to see if i can get an even better deal.

You get online perhaps next and do a search for the breed of your choice. You hit the first site that comes up on Google. You see a well designed site that has amazing pictures of champion dogs, and tons of info about their health history and pedigrees etc. This is very cool and professional like, you think to yourself, so you email them for more information, and they tell you, if you are not planning to show the dog and you agree to have the pet spayed or neutred, you can buy one for 800 dollars. But if you are planning to show them in a ring, the pup will cost you 2000 dollars. With both you will get pedigrees and certificates showing these dogs have been tested, and what they were tested for.

So now you are a little dazed and confused perhaps, you now have 3 prices, none of which are anywhere similar. Not to be defeated you check the local papers. And yet again, the same breed of dog, only this time, a few more different prices, and no information offered other then the claim to be a purebred dog.

The fact is you will come across many people selling puppies, all for different reasons.

Some will really care about the breeds survival and success in the future and will go to great lengths to ensure their well-being, but to do this they have to make back what they put into it like anyone else would.

Some just see dollar signs. Often called "puppy mills". They know people just love puppies so they mass produce so to speak, and give you whatever they have. They will have no recollection of who the father was, and who their father was. They don't do any testing for herditary diseases, and will breed any of their dogs regardless of physical or mental issues they might have.

And you get the cheaters, out there to make a fast buck and could care less that the breed they have is similar to what you want but in fact not even a purebred dog at all.

Before i say anything here, i want to make it clear that i am not endorsing any type of breeder good or bad. But if you are looking to buy a puppy, you have to ask yourself a few things.

1. What do i want this puppy for? Breeding purposes, show dog, friend, companion.
2. How important is price to you. Are you prepared for lifelong financial commitments.
3. Are you concerned about pedigrees and health issues?

Once you decide an answer to these questions, it will become more obvious what your price will range in.

My price for a puppy, a living animal standing by my side for life, showing me what love and loyalty, and friendship is all about? ....................PRICELESS!